Procession

Procession

Over 30 minutes is needed to line up the nearly 800 participating candidates. Once the college/school processions are formed, the various components will move to the north of the Student Center at 12:40 p.m. and march to Calihan Hall. It is tradition that a bagpiper leads the Procession. The Procession will travel between the Architecture Building and the Library, turn east and proceed between the Briggs Building and Library to Calihan Hall's northwest doors. Rain or shine, the Procession will process. If rain is predicted, bring an umbrella to use in the procession.

Order of March

The order of march and presentation of degrees are dictated by college/school founding date:

• Liberal Arts and Education - 1877,
• Engineering & Science - 1911
• Business Administration - 1916,
• Health Professions - 1941,
• Nursing - 1941 and
• Architecture - 1964.

Each college/school will be led by its Banner Bearer who is followed by the Faculty, Graduate and Undergraduate Candidates respectively.

Candidate Seating

In Calihan Hall, follow your Marshal's instructions and proceed to your numbered seat and remain standing. Leave seats empty for absent candidates. College/school seating is arranged alphabetically by degree for diploma distribution. It also serves to help your guests, if they are following the Program, to know when you will be awarded your degree.

Once the platform party is in place, the Ceremony will begin regardless of the time. Throughout the Ceremony, listen to the Grand Marshal's instructions. The candidate seating plan will not be determined until graduation week. If your guests are interested in the general area where you will be sitting on the arena floor, have them review the seating diagram posted near the northeast entrance of Calihan Hall.